Voting machine



1944. G. D. RATHBUN 2,364,097

VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 a. D. RATHBUN 2,364,097

VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I am 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 5, 1944. G. D. RATHBUN VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1941 Patented Dec. 5, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VOTING MACHINE George D. Rathbun, Manhattan, Kans.

Application February 18, 1941, Serial No. 379,524

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the class I of recording machines and pertains particularly to improvements in voting machines and ballot parts therefor.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved voting machine for use both in general and primary elections, which is of extreme simplicity both as to construction and operation, whereby its universal use is made economically feasible and possible.

A further and important feature of the present invention is the provision in a voting machine, of like ballot parts which may be taken by voters into the voting booths to be prepared for voting and may then be placed in and operated in conjunction with the main machine to effect the recordin and counting of the ballot, the ballot part then being made reusable upon its removal from the machine by another cast during an election will be made on two record units, one of which constitutes one or more sheets of paper while the other constitutes a plurality of strips, each receiving the voterecord of a candidate for oflice, the record of votes being made upon the strips of one unit and upon the sheet of the other unit simultaneously and preferably by perforating such units.

A still further object of the invention is to.

provide a voting machine employing a ballot part of novel character designed for cooperative action with perforatin elements in the voting machine whereby when such ballot part has had candidate indicating or selector fingers set by the voter in accordance with his voting desires, such fingers are made to cooperate with punching elements in the vmachine for simultaneous recording by punches or perforations in a record strip or record strips and/or sheets of paper, all votes of the voter.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a machine of the above described character, a novel means for effecting the advancement of the record or impression receiving strip through the controlled shifting of a portion of the machine carrying the ballot part, before the retraction of the record sheet punching elements whereby such punching elements function as pulling fingers for moving the record receiving sheet or strip into position to receive new punches under the action of a ballot part placed in the machine by a subsequent voter.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it being understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered as limited by the specific illustration or description but that such illustration and description constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:.

Fig. 1 is a view in top plan of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a ballot part placed in position and ready to be advanced for the performance of the sheet or strip perforating and recording operation.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section through the machine and the ballot part taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially 0n the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with the central portion of the machine broken away.

Fig. 4 is a viewin plan of a ballot piece showing the same opened to illustrate the position ing or arrangement of the candidate selector fingers and the ofiice divider fingers.

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a candidate indicator or finger.

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of an oflice divider finger.

Figs. 7,, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate various operating cams showing the same in relative positions which they maintain with respect to one another upon a. common supporting shaft.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate respectively the upper and lower pin supports and guides in their working relation.

Fig. 13 illustrates in plan a portion of a permanent record sheet in which perforations are made for recording ballots.

Fig. 14' is a view in transverse section of the ballot part when closed.

Fig. 15 is a view in side elevation of a mark ing pin or marking element.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that the present voting machine comprises two separate or independent units which function cooperatively for the mak.

ing of a ballot record, such units comprising broadly that portion referred to generally as the balloting piece and indicated as a whole by the character B, and the main body portion or machine proper with which the ballot piece goacts, which is generally designated M.

For the purpose of clarity, a description will first be given of the ballot piece B, after which the machine body M will be described followed by a description of the operation of the two parts together. i

The ballot piece B, of which there may be one or a number for use in association with a machine body, comprises, as is clearly shown in Figs, 2 and 4, a body portion II), which is here illustrated as being in the form of a board of desired length, width and thickness, at each end. of which is an upstanding wall ll of metal or other suitable material, a portion of which is.

turned under the end of the base body I to form a track engagingshoe I2.

Each of the end walls projects slightly beyond the rear edge of the base I0, as indicated at H, and adjacent the top edge of each end wall there is mounted in the extended portion, a pivot pin l3 on which is rockably mounted a hinge ear l4, which 'forms anintegral part of a lid or cover l5. At its front edge, the cover l5'has the downturned -flange l6 which, when the cover is closed, is in close proximity to the top of the base.

Extending alongthe rear edge, the base In has secured thereto a bar H which is provided with a plurality or transverse notches l8 which are equi-distantly spaced one from the other. The forward edge of this bar I! is undercut or proend with an aperture 30 to receive the rod 28, while at its opposite end it is provided with a laterally, extending piece to provide a wide edge 3| for contact with a punching or marking element hereinafter more particularly described.

The under or inner side of the cover l5 of the ballot piece has secured thereto a pad strip 32 against the face of which there is placed a sheet bearing the titles of various offices for which candidates are running. Following the, names of the oflices, the names of the candidates running for such oflices are placed. This sheet is indicated by the numeral 33 and, as shown in Fi 4, the titlesof the number of offices are shown and indicated at 34, and opposite each of these oflice titles, an oflice divider or ofiice indicator element 22 is located when the cover of the ballot piece is thrown back or opened. For example, the space between the office title President and Vice- President and the office title Congressman 4th D. is marked'ofl by two office dividers 22 and there are located along the notched bar I1" four notches 18 for the names of candidates for the ofiices of president and vice-president. Alsobetween thesetwo oflice dividers there is a single candidate indicator or selector 29-which may bemoved on the bar'28" forengagement in any oneof the notches in the space referred to. It will, of course, be understood that the name of the nominated president and vice-president for any one party will appear on the same line so that four'parties may'bereported in this group;

When thecover I5 of'the' ballot piece is raised,

the candidate indicators or selectors 29may all vided with the shoulder 19 and paralleling this shouldered forward edge of the notched bar and spaced therefrom, is a clamp bar 20 which is provided at its rear edge with the undercut shoulder 2|, which is in opposed relation with the shoulder 19 and cooperates therewith to maintain in position a series of oflice indicating or office divider fingers22, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 6. Each of these office divider finger comprises a straight finger portion 23' connected by a neck 24 which extends from one edge adjacent one end thereof, with a foot 25. At the opposite end, the portion 23 of the oifice divider is broadened to form a relatively wide contact edge 26 for engagement with a punch pin which forms a part of the machine body structure as hereinafter described. The finger portion 23 is also provided with an aperture 21 at the top of the neck 24 to facilitate maintaining the candidate indicator in a selected position in the ballot piece, as hereinafter described.

Extending lengthwise of the ballot piece and supported by the dividers 22 is a finger carrying rod 28. This rod is located in a vertical plane which passes midway between-the bars I! and 20,,

and it will be readily seen upon reference to Figs. 4 and 14, this rod passes through the apertures of the office dividers 22', ofwhich there are any desired number, and when the office dividers are in set position, each will be engaged in a notch l8 and will have opposite ed es of its foot piece engaged by and secured down on the base I0 by the shoulders of the bars.

Supported upon the rod 28 between each pair of office dividers 22 is a candidate indicator finger or selector which is indicated generally by the numeral 29 and one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 5. This finger or indicator is, like each of the office dividers, formed of a strip of metal or other suitable material and is provided at one be swung over on the rod 28 so as to have the operating ends 31 thereof directed away from the various candidates for ofiice and the ballot piece-is handed to the voter with the candidate indicators in this position. The candidate then takes the-ballot piece to his'booth and selects and indicates his choice by swinging the indicator fingers 29' over toward the list of offices and candidates and moving it on the rod 28 until it is positioned'in a notch opposite the name of his selection. After all of the pieces have been turned into voting position, theedges 3| of'the candidate indicators will all be alined with the edges 26 of the oflicedividers and the voter then closes the cover l5- so that the face of the sheet, which maybe covered with a sheet 34' of Celluloid. or other transparent material, rests on the candidate indicator fingers and the office divider fingers. All of the fingers will be effectively covered and theballot piece may then be handed to the person attending the ballot machine, to be placed in the machine and used for registering the ballot.

The body of the ballot machine in association with which the ballot pieceis usedis here shown as having an open' zframe which includes vertical front corner posts 35' and rear posts 38, which are connected by upper horizontal beams 31 and lower beams 38 as well as suitable transverse connecting elements, but-it is to be under stood that in the actual construction of: the machine, these-posts may be dispensed with or differently formed and themachine will be enclosed in a suitable housing so. that various working parts will be shielded from view, the

present illustration of an open frame-work having been made use of to more clearly show" the essential working parts of the machine.

At the rear of the machine there is disposed the transversely extending plate 38, the front edge'of which supports or has secured thereto a padding of suitable material, which is indicated by thenumeral 40 across which'paper ribbons or record sheets are drawn. This padded forward edge of the plate 39 constitutes a'fixed element of a gripper for maintaining in position the sheets which receive punches or other marking means recording the ballot.

Disposed in front of the plate 39 and extending lengthwise of the padded edge thereof is a shiftable gripper element 4| which constitutes the other part of the gripper device and which also has a friction strip 42 which coacts with the pad or strip .40. This movable gripper element 4| is supported upon suitable arms 43 or in any other suitable manner, the arms being here shown 'as pivotally connected at their lower ends, as at 44, with the lower part of the machine so that element may oscillate forwardly and rearwardly as desired. Means is provided whereby the element 4| will be constantly urged toward its associate element 39, such means being here shown as in the form of a weight 45 connected with the element 4| by a cord 46 which passes over a suitable pulley 41 so that a constant rearward pull is exerted upon the element 4| in the manner illustrated.

, Upon the forward side of the oscillatable gripper element 4| are forwardly extending arms 48, each of which has an upstanding cam finger 49 to be acted upon by an actuating cam, hereinafter described, which effects the oscillation of.

the element 4| in timed relation with other parts of the machine and in opposition to the pull exerted upon this element by the control element or weight 45.

At opposite sides of the machine there are located the crank shaft bearings, 50, which bearings support the operating shaft through the medium of which the several operations or actuation of the several parts may be effected in the recording of a ballot. Any suitable means may be'provided for imparting rotary motion to this shaft, such means being here shown as being in the form of a crank 52.

The shiftable element 4| of the record holding unit is preferably provided with two cam arms 46 which are adjacent the ends of the element and as is shown in Fig. 2, the shaft 5| extends across the machine between the cam arm 49 and the-element 4|, and it has secured to it the two cams 53 which, when rotated, engage the adjacent upstanding arm 49 to oscillate the gripper element 4| forwardly. The timed operation of these cams in association with the other movable parts of the machine will be hereinafter described in more detail.

Disposed forwardly of the record strip gripper and above the shaft 5| is the vertically oscillatable unit indicated generally by the numeral 54 which may be referred to as the marker element carrying unit or pin carrying unit. This latter unit comprises the upper and lower vertically spaced bodies 55 and 56, respectively, which extend transversely of the machine in close proximity to the movable gripper element 4|, and are joined together at their ends in a suitable manner, as for example, by. means of the straps 51. Upon the forward side of the bodies 55 and 56 there are arranged the spaced parallel track rails 58 which-are joined together at their forward ends by the transverse coupling rail 59. These track rails are designed for the support transversely of the machine and forwardly of the body56 of the ballot part B, as shown inFig. 2, and the shoes I2 carried by the ends of the base I6 slide on these rail in the movement of the ballot part rearwardly for the performance of the'recording of the ballot.

At each end of the pin carrying unit 54 there is provided a supporting arm 60 which is coupled with the joined bodies 55 and 56 and extends forwardly for pivotal connection, as indicated at 6|, with an adjacent-part of the machine here shown as the adjacent front corner post 35. By means of this pivotal connection of the arms 60 with the frame of the machine and additional sup-.

porting means hereinafter described, the vertical oscillation of the pin or marker carrier 54 is facilitated.

The bodies 55 and 56 as previously stated are vertically spaced so that there is thus provided a window 62 between them. At the lower front side of the window 62 there is secured to the lower body 56 a pin guide plate 63 which is provided with a plurality of guide apertures 64. Secured directly above the plate 63 to the forward face of the upper member 55 is a corresponding plate 65, the lower edge of which extends partway across the window opening 62 and is provided with guide notches 66 corresponding in number with and in vertical alinement with the apertures 64 0f the underlying plate.

The numeral 6'! generally designates one of the-marking elements of the present machine, which element is here illustrated as being in the form of a pointed punch pin. While a pin form of element is shown and will be hereinafter described, it is understood that any number of different types of markers or impression forming elements may be employed if desired, and that in referring in the claims to a marker or similar form of device, any one of the different marking elements adaptable. to the present machine is intended to be covered or included. The pin or punch form of marking element here illustrated, Fig. 15, comprises an elongated shank portion 68 having a point 69 at one end while at its other end is formed an upstanding extension '10 which joins a short rearwardly directed arm H terminating in a head 12. The shank portion of each pin extends through an aperture 64 of the plate 63 while the arm 7| of the pin which is parallel with the shank, is disposed above this shank and slidably engages in a guide notch 66. As shown in Fig. 2, the head 72 of each marker pin limits the forward movement of the pin.

Extending transversely of the pin carrier unit 54, in back of the window 62, is a pin guide bar 53 which is provided with a plurality of guides in the form of bores 14 which pass entirely through the bar from the front to the rear, each of which is alined with an aperture 64 of the pin supporting plate 63. This bar 73 is connected in any suitable manner with the bodies 55-56, such connecting means being here shown as brackets 15 located at the ends of the pin carrying unit.

Directly rearwardly of the pin guide bar 13 is a platen bar or plate 16 which is arranged with one edge face in spaced parallel relation with the rear side of the bar 13, as shown in Fig. 2, andv ..tected point of the pin will extend across the space between the platen l6 and the bar 13 to pass through or make an impression on or in a record sheet extending across the platen and, if the marker extends through the record sheet,

it; will enter rth'e': receivingiire'cess H alined :th'exe; Y with;

The present ballot machine ris' designedtoaform a-wdouble: record. of each" ballot cast, one record being in the form of a unit consisting of a- -plu-- rality of record ribbonslwhich are" herelindicat'edi' by the: numeral 1 8 while the; other unit is in the form .of one; or: moreasheets:o'fzmaterial which: a: permanentrecord is I made: by the fmarkcrs; which sheetis here;indicatedrgenerallyc the numeral J 9 Theivariousi record ribbonstfllai extend across the impressioni receiving: edge" of: the i platen 16 from a carrier 80 which is in the formaof a' zrelativelyrwid'ei tablerw'hich extends l across.- the 3 width of: the: machine: ata-thei rear thereof: and is dis-'- p'o'sed above the platenxTB' as shownin Fig; 2. The; other. record: unit in thetformzof. the.per-- manent recordi sheet-l9 extends across: an'dr is: supported by, a carrien'ta'bIe-BI' which lalsoiex tends the width offltheimachine an'ci lies oventhe? individual strip supporting tablezBll, thetforward' ed'ge ofxthe tablezal being slightly iniadva'n'ceiof the-forward: edge. o'fzth'e" tabler80tw Thus: the rec ord'ireceiving strips and sheet may pass down-- weirdly across-the forwardedge--01.v the platen .16- between the latter and thepin tor 'markerrguicle bar 13: and betweeni the opposing" faces? of.- the gripper: means: which) lies directly; beneath the platen 'and :pin guidebar. l

The record strip supporting'tabletol has a flxe'd position L inthe' machine; and lies 4 between the platen' lfi: anduthe table 8 I'; Theztablez a'l' is =coupied with 5. the": platen 16: in a: suitable; manner; as'i-by means 'of brackets L8 22so: thatzthe i platenan'd i the. upper: or permanent record sheetltable may: be i'raised' and lowered with the'"pin :carrying unit or: marker carrying unit; 54: of which: they' form: cpart- It visfdesirab'l'e that the several record strips or rib'bonsi 18Jbe guided-along .fixedi paths' andlin spaced lparallel: relation xacross' the edge of: the platen" 16, .and while: it'l may be readily" obvious that.variousiameans" may be: mad'e use oi for: ac complishingi this 3 obj ect; it I is preferred that the edgeiofltheiplaten hav'e secured thereto the single metalstrip 83 which has heeri pressed to providealternate oiTs'et portions' wherebyi there are old-- tamedthe alternate: 1 oppositely directed recesses 8'4", as--sh0wn in Fi g.:'1:- When thestrip is placedalong the edge of the pIaten T6; it -will be' seenthat all 0f 'the recesses'fll' which open toward the rear of 5 the m'achine will *be closed by the platen strip and there may then be secured along: the opposite side'of the metal strip; a cover' or shield strip'85 'which willclose the oppesi-tely directed recesses; thereby" providing the desired' closedguides f or the' individual record strips '01'12 which: the ballots are recorded; The individual ballot strips or" ribbons and the single ballot sheet "pass downwardly below the fixed element 39 of the gripper, and since by reason of che -fact that"- these ribbons and the sheet are given'a very-slight degree of movementacross the platen in the m cordin'g' 'of the successive ballots so that adar'ge number of ballots may be recorded on a/relative'ly short lng-th' ofrihbon' or sheet; no take upor receiving means -for the ribbons and she'et is p'ro vided' or= considered necessary-and, therefore; no such means is shown;

Iirorder to maintain the ba'llot -stripseonrib b'onstaut betweenthe" gripper unit and' the ta'ble iilJ" over'-wl1ich they pass, a light friction element may" be disposed longitudinally ofthe tableoverthe-ribbons; as indi'ca-ted at 86; and i maintained. in frictional contact with the strip; by suitable.- lightly tensioned spring-1 arms- 81-;

Disposed-beneath: the marker or pincarrien unitlis a mechanism 1 foreffecting the rearward movemmtot the ballot-piec for. effecting the actuation ofithe markers-and the recording oi -the"- This mover com'prises a pair ofvvertical ofrtheimachine;

- Above'zthe rollers 93; ,the legs arei connected :by,-' and: support; a rock' shaft 943 and this shaft whichzextends below the arms SO carries, beneath: each" arm'gai lifting; cam 95 on 1 which 1 the: over lying arm rests and :b'y; which 1 the! arm may be raised to a position to bring its finger fil across thei edgeaol th'eflbasefi of aballot' part which i has beemplace'chin:the-machine on thextraclc's 58. 'Bh'enscillation of" the :shaft 94' to effect the i'n'cvw ment'loiithe'armssflupwardlyxis'nnder'the control ofia-leverwtr or may beefiected in any other suit-'- aibl'ee manner; and: this: lever: is here. shown as being irr operative: connection: with: a notched bracket .971 whereby; whenthe. lever is depressed;-v it Will be held in lowered position to maintainth'en arms raised :andlconnectedxwithraballot-"part? "me shaft 51 i carries adj acent each lever 88 'an actuating cam 98: which; as shown in Fig. 2; engages 1 tha forward side-1 of: the leverso that wlieri' the shaft 5i|=is turnedjthe cam will exert: afir'earward:thrustlagainst the lever.

Directly beneath-' eam of fthe rollers" 9 3 which areficarried lby theilegs ill attached' to the-under: side of the pin or marks-r supporting-'unit is:a cam wheel-- at; which has through substantially halil its circumferential extent, a'-- raised portion IO U upOh which a -roller 93 bears-to maintain the pin' c'arrying nnit 5W'in normal 'or 'raised position: The operation l of this: cam will be more clearlybrought out in' the i description of 1 the operation 1 thebarlieifig in contact mth'tlievertical portions of those marker elements or pi'ns' which might be engaged by the ffngers of' theballot part3 theretractor biar will 1 als'o be shifted rearwardlyso' as to-1-eaa'wardlyrock-the le'vrsr l 03? Ih the path of motion oi"=th'ese"levers*- I 03 the control shaft 5 1 carries cams =1 [li and these' cams; when rotated" upon the turning of the shaft" 5 l will effect the reverse movement of the levers I03 to return the marking elements or pins to their retracted positions.

In the operation of the present ballot machine,

the individual ballot strips or tapes are placed in proper position and threaded through the guide therefor which maintain them in position across the platen board and the single sheet 19 upon which the permanent lballot record is made is also placed in position across its supporting table 8| and run down across the outer side of the guide for the individual ribbons, between such guides and the guide bar 13, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower ends of the strips or ribbons and the sheet extend between the elements 391 and 4|, and are held against movement by these elements.

The normal position of the marker or pin carrier unit 54 is as shown in Fig. 2, that is, raised or pins are retracted by the bar l9l, so that the points of the pins are entirely within the guide bores 14 and, therefore, are protected.

As previously described, a voter when giventhe ballot part B, takes this part to the voting booth and arrange the various candidate indicator or selector fingers 29' in position across the I notched bar I! to designate the candidate for whom he wishes to vote. The cover of the ballot part is then closed so that the fingers are held in place and the ballot part is then placed in position in the machine with the ends of the base portion'resting upon the tracks 58 and with the The tracks to the position in which it is shown in Fig.

' 2, after which the person attending the machine imparts a singlerotary movement to the shaft after having first rocked the lever 96 to effect the raising of the ballot rpiece shifter fingers 9| into position across the forward edge of the base of the ballot part. Upon turning the shaft 5| 'afterthe fingers 9| are raised to extend across the lease H! of the ballot part, the earns 98 first engage and project rearwardly the pins alined therewith. Thus all of the pins engaged by fingers; will be forced into contact with and through th record sheet or sheets and the strips with which they are alined. It will also be understood from this that with each use of the ballot part, the same pins will be engaged and made to punch the permanent record sheet or sheets 19 by the office divider'fingers as a result of which the permanent record sheets will be divided lengthwise into a number of rows of punches or other marks, according to the character of the -marker pins employed into lengthwise extending spaces in which will be made a record of the votes cast for the different candidates for the different offices to be filled. Such rows of perforations are shown inthe portion of the permanent record sheet 19 which is shown in Fig. 13, the perforations being indicated by the numeral 1 Following the rearward projection of the ballot part under the action of the cam 98 and'theto its maximum position by the portion I99 of the cam wheel 99 and, of course, the marker elements broadened tips of the fingers directed rearwardly and toward the marker elements or pins.

ballot part is then shifted rearwardly on the -ment 39.

-marking or punching of the ribbons and the sheet, continued turning of the shaft 5| brings the cams 53 into play to effect the forward oscillation of the movable element 4| and th release of the strips and record sheet 18, 19, respectively. Immediately following this releasing of the strips and sheet, the high side I99 of the cam 99 passes from beneath the roller 93, thus allowing the pin carrying unit to be lowered a distance equal to the difference between the radius of the cam 99 on its high side and on its low side. In actual practice, this distance will be about 1% in. and consequently, the rear part of the pin carrier will be lowered approximately this much, and since the marking pins are still extended through the ballot strips and the permanent record sheet or sheets, it will be seen that these record receiving units will be drawn down the distance stated.

After the shifting of the record sheet or sheets and strips, the gripper mechanism again secures the strips and sheet since the cam 53 will have released the arms with which they are in engagement to permit the movable element 4| to again shift into gripping relation with the fixed ele- Following the re-securing of the strips and sheet or sheets, the pin retractor cams I95 will have their high sides brought into engagement with the adjacent levers I93, so as to effect shift ing of the levers and the retractor bar It! in a direction to withdraw or retract the marker elements or pins from the record strips and sheet or sheets, and immediately after this action is completed, the high side I99 of the pin unit control cams 99 will again move to position beneath their respective rollers 93 so as to raise the unit to its normal or starting position, and since the strips and the record sheet or sheets are being held when this return movement of the. unit 54 takes place, it will be seen that the marker elements or pins will again be brought into position for action upon the strips and sheet at new points when a new or reformed ballot part is placed in the machine and actuated in the man- I ner stated.

All of the movements described, with the single exception of the movement of the rock shaft 94 for the raising of the ballot part engaging arms 90, takes place upon a single revolution of the shaft 5|, so that it will be readily seen that a complete ballot can be recorded with each turning" of the shaft and, consequently, it will also be readily apparent that by connecting a suitable counter mechanism, not shown, with the shaft 5|, the number of voters using the machine can be kept count of without difficulty.

After the recording of one ballot has been completed,'the arms 99 are released from engagement with the ballot part so that the ballot may be removed for use by another voter and in removing the ballot, the same may be handled by the handle of the cover I5, so that the ballot part will drop open and the candidate selector fingers will-drop back away from the notched bar H and rest upon the clamp bar 29, so that the ballot is cleared and ready for use by the recording of two ballots made with one turn of "machineit is possible fora precinct with a 'few voters to use only one "-or "two ballot parts for recording all of'the-votes of'the precinct While a larger precinct having a correspondingly larger number of voters may increase the number of "ballot parts used, to any number "which may be necessary "for expeditiously handling the voting. As a consequence, it will be seen thatwith this arrangement, the expense of providing the machine will be less for small precincts and *thus any voting precinctwill-be able "to provide voting bythis machine and makethe-use of the machine possible in an entire territory or state.

While in describing the 'use 'of the 'ballot part, it has been stated that all -oT the candidate selector fingers are turned "by the "voter to extend across the notched bar t! Torengagement in thenotches thereof,"it*will,"ofcourse, be readily evident that if the 'voter does not desire 'to register a vote, he may leave anyoneor more or the candidate pointers in non=voting -position. It will also be understood that a provision might :be made in "the construction of "the ballot part for "preventing this so as to 'force each voter z to :cast

a vote for a candidate for each oflice listed :on the ballot.

'While the ribbon and permanent record sheet markers "have'been disclosed as "pins "for :penetrating the ribbons and sheet, these markers. may 'be in the formbf punches for punching .out :a

portion of the 1 sheet and each 'If-ifibOIl in :any :desired design, 'if such 'a construction "is desired.

the "record sheet 19 in arow -across the :sheet,

"as is shown clearly in 'Fig. 13. By the :provision of the full line of perforations I06 between the 'o'iiices from the first ballot recorded to the last ballot, the votes "for thevarious ofiices may be effectively separated 1 so that no :difilculty will *be encountered in checking the votes :izin it'h'e -sV6I1t that the record sheet becomes torn :or otherwise "damaged.

'Wliile 'it has "been previously stated that the o'flice divider fingers are arranged Ito engage and project the-*marker pins simultaneously with the action of the candidate in'dicator fingers, ,and

this arrangement-has been showniin lthe'lillustration of the ballot part, 'it -will, of-course, be'understood 'thatthis feature maybe-dispensed with .if so desired, *so that the only marker pins which will be engaged when the ball'ot part is shifted rearwardly in the machine would *be those in line with the selected candidate indicators.

'-What 'is claimed is:

1. "In "a voting machine, "means "providing a "support'for *a recordi-s'trip "of suflicient propor- Y "tions' to" receive-'a'record of all'votes cast, a movable strip marker spaced from the strip 'and supported for movement "into recording connection "with the record=strip, a ballot element having a candidate indicating -finger :movable into and :out -=or candidate 'indicating positiomwsaid finger having a portion designed:for-rcooperative:connection with said marker, Jimean's "for facilitating the movement of said element along aprescribed path relative 2110 said marker to effe'ctithe iconanon-cs7 nection of the finger with the marker to move the marker into marking and driving connection with the strip, means for moving the marker While in"connecti0n with the strip to advance the strip by said connection to a new position, and means for withdrawing the marker from connection with the record strip.

2. In a votingmachine, means providing a sup port for a plurality of candidate record strips, a plurality of markers, each markerkbeing movable into and out :of marking connection with a strip, a [ballot element carrying :alist ofinames formed into groups of candidates to be voted upon, a candidate se'lectorifinger :for-each group and 'f-orminga part of :said element and movable into a selected position with respect to one of the candidate names, said finger being :formed for cooperative connection with any one of said markers, means facilitating :movement -.of 'said element alonga prescribed path relative to said markers to effect "connection .of the rsaid name indicating finger with the marker associated with the strip of theselected'candidate and movement of that markeriinto marking and driving contact with the associated stripgand means :for :shift- :ing the :markers *while in contact with ithe strip to effect ithe :advancement of the ,strip through such connection to "a ;new position.

3; In .a voting ;machine, ,means providing a support for :a ,record receiving sheet, a plurality aof,.1markersdesigned :to connect with the sheet to make :a record of.-:a 'ballot,.means,for support- .:.ing the markers for selective movement into convnection with the :sheet, -a rplaten against which said t-sheetxis supported 'andacrlss the face of which the sheet ,moved, gripping .means \for holding the sheet, means for ;.se1e.c.tively :ad-

'vancing certain of :the markers according .to the selection of the :voter tomarking rand drivingqcon- "nection with the sheet, :means for releasing the :gripping 'means after .the markers have connectiomwith the sheet, meansrforwshitting the markers after the :same have connected with the sheet .to effectmovement-of the sheet-by :the connection of the markers therewith, means for :regripping the sheet iafter :it :has been 'moved ,and

beforethe vmarkerszare withdrawn :from the-sheet,

means for withdrawing the markers ifrom the sheet, and means -for restoring the markers ,to their initial positions.

A. In a voting machine, a recording unit, comprising means for :movably supporting a length of perforatable material, a plurality of perforators movable relative ,to thematerial, va guide .leading toward said perforators, a ballot piece carrying candidate ringers .movable .into and out rojf ,votingposition, the .ballot piece :beingdesigned to .be ,placed on :said guide with those fingers .in voting position directed toward the perforartors, :means .,for moving .theballot .piece on the guide to bring the fingers having voting position .into engagement with theperforators .gin align- .ment therewith ,andto move theen agedgperforators through said material, and-means for moving the ballot piece c-andyperforators while ,-:the material is en aged by :the perforators to =efiect the advancement-of the materialjn ,even stops.

5. In a votingmachine, a recording-unit, comprising means ;for movably supporting a length of perforatable material, a plurality of perfora- "tors movable relative {to the material, -aguide pleading toward .said 'perforators, ;a ballot piece carrying a candidate list, selector fingers movable on said ballot piece, means for securing ,said fingers each adjacent .a selected candidateand all pointing in one direction, the ballot piece being designed to be placed on said guide with the fingers directed toward the perforators, said ballot piece being movable on the guide to bring said fingers into engagement with the perforators in alinement therewith and to move thejengaged perforators through said material, means for retracting said perforators from the material, and means for shifting the recording unit and ballet piece while the perforators engage the material for advancing the material by the perforator to a new position to be engaged by the perforators after their retraction. i

6. Ina voting machine, a recording unit, comprising means for movably supporting a length of perforatable material, a plurality of perforators movable relative to the material, a guide leading toward said perforators, a ballot piece carrying a candidate list, selector fingers movable on said ballot piece, means for securing said fingers each adjacent a selected candidate and all pointing in one direction, the ballot piece being designed to be placed on said guide with the fingers directed toward the perforators, said ballot piece being movable on the guide to bring said fingers into engagement with the perforators in alinement therewith and to move the engaged perforators through said material, meansfor shifting the recordingunit while the perforators are in connection with the material to effect movement of the material to a new position by the perforators, and means for retracting the perforators and reversely shifting the unit.

7. In a voting machine, a plurality of pins supported movably in a carrier, means providing a support for a plurality of counting strips each in alinement with the point of a corresponding pin, a voting unit designed to be set selectively by a voter means for supporting and moving the unit relatively to the pins to actuate the pins in correspondence to the selection of the voter and effect penetration of the points of the selected pins into the corresponding strips, means for shifting the pin carrier while thepins are in the strips to efiect a desired movement of the strips, means for withdrawing the pins from the strips, and means for restoring the pin carrier to normal position.

8. In a voting machine, a plurality of pins supported movably in a common carrier, means providing a support for a plurality of ribbons, each representing a different candidate, the ribbons being held by said support each in position opposite the point of a corresponding pin, a ballot unit completely separable from the machine and adapted to be movably supported in the*machine, said unit havi'ng elements for coaction with said pins, said elements being selectively movable into position for coaction with the pins when the unit is in the machine for the selective advance of certain pins to pierce the corresponding ribbons, means by which the common carrier may be shifted from a normal position while the certain pins have penetrated the corresponding ribbons to effect advancement of the ribbons, means for withdrawing the pins from the ribbons, and means for reshifting the-commoncarrier to its normal position.

9. In a voting machine, means providing a support for a plurality of record receiving ribbons, a guide means for said ribbons, a frame mounted for movement in a direction to feed said ribbons over said guide means, said frame including a ballot part guide, a plurality of punch markers reciprocably supported on the frame and directed toward said ribbon guide and the ribbons passing thereover, means for releasably gripping and holding said ribbons, a ballot part adapted to be placed upon the ballot guide for movement relative to said markers, said ballot part including a plurality of changeable candidate indicators and said indicators when in candidate indicating position being alined with corresponding candidate ribbon punching markers when the ballot part is on the ballot guide, and mechanism constructed and arranged for effecting in timed sequence, after the selected markers have been projected through the ribbons by the candidate indicators, release of said ribbon gripping means, the movement of said frame while the markers are in'engagement with the ribbons to effect the shifting of the ribbons by the markers, the re-gripping of the ribbons, the retraction of the markers from the ribbons and the reverse movement of the frame to its initial position.

, record ribbons, a guide over which said ribbons pass, means adjacent one side of the guide for gripping and holding the ribbons, a frame structure oscillatably supported adjacent the guide for movement transversely thereof, the frame structure having a pin guide movable across the ribbon guide, a plurality of marker pins carried by the frame structure and supported in the pin guide for movement into marking engagement with the ribbons, a ballot piece, track means for supporting the ballot piece for movement toward said markers to effect projection of the markers toward and through the ribbons, said ballot piece including a plurality of selective candidate indicators, said indicators when in candidate indicating position engaging a marker when the ballot piece is moved toward the markers, for

shifting the engaged marker into engagement with a candidate ribbon, a single control shaft rotatably supported in the machine and means coupled with and operated by said shaft upon the turning of the same through a single revolution for efiecting in timed sequence the successive operations of moving the ballot piece for the projection of the marker pins into the ribbons, releasing the ribbons from said gripping means, oscillating said frame to efiect the shifting of the ribbons by the markers, re-gripping the ribbons, retracting the markers from connection with the ribbons, and reversely operating the frame to its former position.

11. In a voting machine, a plurality of pins supported movably in a common carrier, means providing a support for a plurality of record ribbons, each representing a difierent candidate, the ribbons being held in position each opposite the point of a corresponding pin, a ballot unit completely separable from the machine and adapted to be movably supported in the machine, said unit having elements for coaction with said pins, said elements being selectively movable into position for coaction with the pins when the unit is in the machine for the selective advance of certain pins to pierce the corresponding ribbons, means by which the common carrier may be shifted from a normal position while the certain pins have penetrated the corresponding ribbons toeiTect advancement of the ribbons, means, moved by the pins when the same are advanced by the ballot piece, for retracting all of the ribbon penetrating pins as a unit from the ribbons,

.12. In a votingmachine, :means providing .a

: supportfor :a record ,-strip.of sufiicient proportions ;to receive a record of .all votes cast, .a .movable stripmarker spaced from the stripand .supported formovernent into recording connection therewith, a ballot element-having'a candidate indicating fingermovable .into and out of :candidate indicating position, said .finger hav- ..ing a portion designed for co-operative connection withsaid marker, means facilitating the movement of said elementalong a .prescribed ,path relative to said marker to effect the connection of the finger .withandthe movement of the marker into driving connection with said ,strip,.means foradvancing said strip in steps across the path of reciprocatory movement of .themarker while the markeris connected with the strip, .-a single operating lever, and mechanism controlled by said lever for effecting the movement ofsaid element and advancing said strip vupon a prescribedsinglemovement of the ..lever.

1.3. ,In a recordingmachine, means providing .a support :for ,a record receiving sheet, a body against which said sheet lies to receive a record, the sheet being movable across said body, releasable means for securing the sheet adjacent to said body, means movably supported adjacent ,to said body for movement relative thereto and .to the sheet for forming a record on the sheet,

.means for moving the record forming means into marking and driving connection with the sheet, means for shifting the record forming means While it is connected with the sheet to effect the movement of the .sheet by such connection, means for effecting release of the sheet by the securing means in advance of the movement of the sheet by the marking means and'the resecuring of the sheet after it has been moved a predetermined distance, and means for disconnecting the marking means from the sheet and reversely moving the marking means to its former position preparatory to again moving it into contact with the sheet.

14. A recording machine of the character stated, comprising a platen member having aface "across which a record receiving sheet extends,.

said platen being supported for a limited up and down movement, said sheet being supported for movement in the direction of movement of the platen, a releasable gripping means for the sheet disposed at one side of the platen, a marker element supported to 'be carried with the platen be shifted with the marker and platen, means.

'forreleasing the sheet gripping means when the and for regripping the sheet when the platen has moved to a predetermined extent, and means for releasing the marker from engagement with :the sheet and'moving the platen reversely to its former position while the-sheet is being gripped.

15. A vote recording machine of the character estated comprising means providing a support for a record receiving sheet, a platen having a markcr, platen and sheet are moved together,-

zand nneans ,for reshifting ,the common carrier toiitssnormal position.

, face across which the sheetmoves, aplurality of marker ,pins, means supporting said pins for movement toward .theplaten face-to-have contact with the sheet, each of said.pins having-a .substantially J shaped rear endportion forming .an open-loop,-a bar member extending through .record, meansproviding a support for a record .sheet a plurality of markers-a carrier common to and supporting the markers, a gripping means for holding the sheet whilereceiving the record of a vote, a ballot unit having-elements .adapted for movement to selected positions, said elements when-in selected positions being adapted to have :cooperative action with the recording mecha nism to make the record, a track integral with said common carrier for guiding the ballot unit when operated in conjunction with the recording mechanism, a shaft, cams carried by the shaft, :andmechanism coacting with the cams and so constructed and arranged as to effect, uponrotation of the shaft, in the following sequence, the actions of advancing the ballot unit to cause the engagement of the ballot unit with the selected markers and the-marking and driving connection of the selected markers with the record sheet, release of the gripping means, shifting of :the common carrier while the markers are connected with the sheet to effect movement of the record sheet by reason of such connection, regripping by the gripping means of the record sheet, withdrawal of the markers from the sheet, and restoring of the common carrier to itsinitial position.

17. In a voting machine, means providing a support for arecord receiving sheet of suflicient proportions to receive a complete record of all the votes cast, a platen over which the sheet is moved, a frame mounted for movement in a direction to feed said sheet over said platen,

said frame including a guide, a plurality of punch markers reciprocably supported on the frame and directed toward the record sheet and the platen, means for releasably gripping and hold ing-said record-sheet, said guide being adapted to support a ballot part for movement relative to said markers for effecting movement of certain of said punch markers into the sheet, an actuator movable into operative connection with a ballot part on the guide, and mechanism constructed and arranged for effecting in timed sequence movement of the actuator to effect the movement of the ballot part in a direction to effect the projection of the selected markersinto .the record sheet, the release of the gripping .means, the movementof the frame while the markers are in engagement with the record sheet ,toeifect the shifting of ,the record sheetby the markers, the regrippingof .the record sheet, the retraction of the markers from the recordsheet, andreversemovement of the frame to its original position.

18. In a voting machine,.means providing a support for a pluralityof record receiving ribbons, each for adiiferent candidate, means providing a support for a recordreceiving sheet in .a position .to have .the ribbonsldisposed across one side and of sufficient proportions to receive a record of all votes-cast and recorded upon the ribbons, a platen over the face of which the ribbons and the sheet pass, individual guide means for the ribbons, a frame mounted for movement in a direction to feed said record ribbons and record sheet over the platen, said frame including a ballot guide, a plurality of punch markers reciprocably supported on the frame and directed toward the record ribbons and record sheet, means for releasably gripping and holding said record ribbons and record, sheet, a ballot part adapted to be placed upon the ballot guide for movement relative to said markers, said ballot part including a plurality of changeable candidate indicators and said indicators when in can didate indicating position being alined with corresponding markers when the ballot part is on the ballot guide an activator movable into operative connection with the ballot part, and mechanism constructed and arranged for effecting in timed sequence movement of the actuator to effect movement of the ballot part in a direction to effect the projection of the selected markers through the record ribbons and the record sheet by the candidate indicators, release of the gripping means, movement of the frame while the markers are engaging the record ribbons and the record sheet to effect a movement of the ribbons and sheet by the markers, the regripping of the record ribbons and record sheet, and reverse movement of the frame to its initial position.

GEORGE D. RATHBUN. 

